Display and shipping container for cut flowers, etc.



Feb. 2, 1943. l 7 `H`. BALLARD Vrs1- AL 2,309,742 t DISPLAY AND SIIIPPING CNTINER FOR C`UT FLOWERS ETC. I i nled June 24, .1941

vPI.

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 DISPLAY AND SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR CUT FLOWERS, ETC.

Charles H. Ballard, Arthur Neal Banter, and Samuel E. Hays, Marion, Ind., assignors to Lindley Box & Paper Company, Marion, Ind., a

corporation Application June 24, 1941, Serial No. 399,502

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a display container for cut flowers.

The `chief object of this invention is to provide a container for cut flowers which will receive particularly long stem flowers and attractively display the same, which will protect the blossoms in shipment and prevent breakage of the stems or separation of blossoms from the stems incident to unpacking or transportation.

Another chief object of this invention is to provide a container for cut ilowers which will hold the owers in such a manner that the same, while packaged may be handled as a unit and which is of such character that the cut ends of the stems can be received by the iiorists vase or water container or jar, all without wetting the container or requiring removal of the flowers from the container.

Another chief object of this invention is to provide a container for cut flowers and the like which will permit of the economical packaging of a large number of flowers in a shipping case, thereby reducing transportation costs to a minimum, as well as damage to the flowers.

This invention is particularly adapted to receive, display and protect long stem flowers, such as roses, lilies, carnations and the like, but is not necessarily restricted to these particular varieties.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of a combination display container capable of accomplishing the foregoing objects, as well as being capable of fabrication from a single blank of paper board material, such as cardboard or kraft-board of like character, and which, when cut to form, can be shipped flat in bundles to the flower grower and which, to be utilized, can be easily and readily erected or set up, and which can be readily and easily lled with cut flowers, and when filled will retain same in predetermined position for transportation, display and/or storage purposes as previously set forth.

`Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing, the following description and claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the display container for cut flowers with llowers therein.

Fig. 2 is a developed plan view of the blank required for the display container shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the upper end of the container.

Fig. 4 is a developed plan view of a modified form of upper right-hand corner of the blank.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, B indicates the blossom portion of a cut flower having the stem' S. It is usual to bundle or package twenty-five of the same as a two-dozen unit. The extra flower is included to compensate for any flower that may not be saleable when received by the retailer.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, these ilowers are arranged in superposed groups, the uppermost and lowest group (referring to blossom and stern respectively and top and back of the unit respectively) including eleven flowers, the intermediate group including ten flowers and the lowermost and upper group containing ve flowers.

Three tiers of flowers are illustrated. A lesser or greater number may be utilized, if desired or required by the number of flowers to be packaged or by the specific character of the flowers to be packaged. The distribution or number of flowers in each tier may also be varied as desired or required. The arrangement and number specifically illustrated in Fig. 1 is by way of example only.

In the drawing I0 indicates a somewhat triangular shaped body portion having the upper edge IIII and two converging side edges II. The body portion -is extended at I2. Each side edge I3 thereof ,is a hinge crease by which successively hing-edly connected portions I4 and I 5, hinged together at I6, are connected together to form a tubular handle arrangement as shown in Fig. 1.

Each pOrtion YI5 by hinge I'I is connected to a tongue portion I 8. The free ends of these tongues, when in handle formation overlap as shown in Fig. 1. Such position is maintained by the notch arrangements I9 and projections 20. Note that the notch and projection on the tongue free ends are reversed or opposed.

While the interlock can be effected with both projections exposed, the preferred interlock is as shown in Fig. 1, that is with the free ends of each tongue and the projections in concealed relation. This has the further advantage that there is no exposed portion in the handle arrangement to catch upon some object and tear the lock.

This handle envelops all flower stems so the unit can have all stems included in a vase, etc., for the purpose previously set forth. This handle also permits the unit to .be picked up -by and carried in one hand.

To the side edges II of the inverted, somewhat triangular body portion I 0 is secured side por- OHS 2|- Plol'etng outwardly from each edge 22 therefrom and secured thereto by hinge creases 23 are the spaced tongues 2li. These tongues are of progressively differing length because sides Il are not parallel in the preferred form of the invention.

Each free end of the tongue includes a notch 25 and a projection 25. These tongues 24 on the same side, see Fig. 2, are substantially parallel but they do not necessarily have to be so positioned. When the sides 2I are folded upwardly and the tongues 24 are folded inwardly the lapping free ends of adjacent tongues may be interlocked. Such interlock preferably is of concealed character, as previously described, for the handle interlock and for the same reason. The connection can be reversed, however.

Herein, note the body tongue connections `are alike while the handle tongue connection is Just the reverse thereof. tions are illustrated the intermediate body tongue connections then could alternate as it were. 'Ilhe arrangement disclosed insures that the locking strain of the connection is not primarily on one side edge but is distributed between the edges.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, each upper end of the side wall 2I includes a flap extension 21 and same and the wall includes a slit 28 having angular ends 29 and the purpose of this slit extension will be set forth later.

The edge IIS is a hinge crease, directed oppositely from all prior mentioned creases, connecting intermediate head portion HI to the body portion IE) at the top thereof. A crease I I2, similar to all creases except III), connects the .remote head portion II3 to portion III. Portion III then can extend rearwardly, see Fig. 3, and portion IIS forwardly forming a blossom receiving groove, and a head portion V-shape in transverse section.

Hingedly connected to each end of portion IIS by hinge crease IIA is a tongue or iiap extension IIE having the notch IIS and locking progection Ill. .The projection I I'|' cooperates with the slit 28-29, as shown in Fig. 3, to maintain the head portion in angular relation to the body portion and with the groove formation as well.

Flaps IIS, hinge crease connected at H9 to the opposite ends of the intermediate head portion I I l serve as stabilizers of the aforesaid formation D when erected.

The method of erection and lling is substantion I I I, elevating or tilting portion I I3 and then l securing same together as shown in Fig. 3.

Then eleven flowers are laid side by side with their stems resting on portions Ill and I2 and their blossoms seated in the groove. The upper pair of tongues is brought together and locked.

Ten flowers are then laid with their stems on portion Il and I2 but said stems at the blossom end overlie the upper locked tongues and the blossoms lie in an upper tier relation and between flaps 2'1. Then the intermediate pair of tongues is brought together and locked over these stems. The remaining ve flowers are similarly positioned except that blossoms are not guarded at each end of the row. When placed, the lowermost body tongues are brought together and locked. All stems are no w resting on handle portion I2. The tongues, etc., thereof are also brought together and locked and the package is complete, ready for box or carton pacling Since four tongue connecfor shipment, display or for storage since the stems extend considerably beyond the bottom of the handle.

In Fig. 4 a somewhat similar form of structure is illustrated in plan. Herein numerals of the 200 series indicate parts shown in Fig. 2 and indicated therein by numerals of the primary and 100 series. It will be noted that in this form of the invention that the tongue for locking the parts in assembled relation is slightly diierent and the neck arrangement provides for dual locking of the tongue in the assembled position.

Other variations of the locks, etc. both in the portion illustrated in Fig. 4, as well as in the spaced cross-band arrangements shown in Fig. 1

may be eifected whenever desired or required for special purposes.

AWhile the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the foregoing dcscription, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modications described herein, as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, and a plurality of spaced tongue means extending-from one side of the bod7 portion to the other and across `and above the body portion.

2. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending froin one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body pore tion for the purpose described, and a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained flower stem envelopment.

3. A display container for cut nowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blosson nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the .body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, and a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained iiower stem envelopment and comprising an integral extension thereof with inwardly directed tongues having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween.

4. A display container for out flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular 'shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, and a plurality of spaced tongue means,

extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body Porhaving lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, and a side portion tion for the purpose described, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween.

5. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and eX- tending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, and a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained flower stern envelopment, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween.

6. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, and a tubular handie arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained ower stem envelopment and comprising an integral extension thereof with inwardly directed tongues having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween.

'7. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, an angularly positioned head portion at the upper end thereof, and a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other for the purpose described, side flaps at each upper corner of the body portion, and flaps at each end of the angularly positioned head portion, adjacent side and end flaps being secured together.

8. A display container for out flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, and a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, side flaps at each upper corner of the body portion, and flaps at each end of the depressed head portion, adjacent side and end flaps being secured together by an interlocking connection.

9. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, an angularly positioned head portion at the upper end thereof, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other for the purpose described, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and substantially coextensive with each side edge of the body portion and from which extend, in spaced relation to the body portion, the adjacent spaced apart tongues.

l0. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper' end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a, plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween. and a side portion substantially coextensive with each side edge of the body portion and from which extend, in spaced relation to the body portion, the adjacent spaced apart tongues, flaps at each end of the depressed head portion, the nap and adjacent upper end of the side portion having an interlocking connection to maintain the depressed position cf the head portion.

l1. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion 'and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, and a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, the depressed head portion being V-shaped in section forming a blossom nesting groove.

12. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, and a side portion substantially coextensive with each side edge of the body portion and from which extend, in spaced relation to the body portion, the adjacent spaced apart tongues, flaps at each end of the depressed head portion, the flap and adjacent upper end of the side portion having an interlocking connection to maintain the depressed position of the head portion, the depressed head portion being V-shaped in section forming a blossom nesting groove.

13. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and yabove the body portion for the purpose described, the depressed head portion being V-shaped in section forming a blossom nesting groove, and flaps at the ends of the head portion connected to the body portion and cooperating with the remote portion of the head portion at the ends of the remote portion to prevent collapse of the groove formation.

14. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, side aps at each upper corner of the body portion, flaps at each end of the depressed head portion, adjacent side and end flaps being secured together, and a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained flower stem envelopment.

15. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a, blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained flower stem enveloprnent, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, and a side portion substantially coextensive with each side edge of the body portion and from which extend in spaced relation to the body portion, the adjacent spaced apart tongues.

16. A display container for cut owers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the gularly positioned head portion being V-shaped in section forming a blossom nesting groove, and flaps at the ends of the head portion connected body portion and cooperating with the remote portion of the head portion at the ends of the remote portion to prevent collapse of the groove formation.

17. A display container for cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped body portion, a blossom nesting head portion at the upper end of the body portion and extending angularly thereof in depressed relation thereto, a plurality of spaced tongue means extending from one side of the body portion to the other' and across and above the body portion for the purpose described, a tubular handle arrangement extending from the lower end of the body portion with the tubularity above the plane of the body portion for tongue means retained flower stem envelopment and comprising an integral extension thereof with inwardly directed tongues having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, each of said tongue means comprising a pair of tongues connected `at one end to the body portion at opposite sides thereof and having lapping free ends with an interlocking connection therebetween, a side portion substantially coextensive with each side edge of the body portion and from which extends in spaced relation to the body portion, the adjacent spaced apart tongues, flaps at each end of the depressed head portion, the flap and adjacent upper end of the side portion having an interlocking connection to maintain the depressed position of the head portion, the depressed head portion being V-shaped in section forming a blossom nesting groove, and flaps at the ends of the intermediate head portion connected to the body position and cooperating with the remote portion of the head portion at the ends of the remote portion to prevent collapse of the groove formation.

18. A display container for a plurality of cut flowers including an inverted somewhat triangular shaped base body portion, an offset, blossom seating head at the upper end thereof, and a plurality of spaced means extending from side to side of the body portion, each successive means from the head portion except the most remote means serving as a stern rest for a successive layer of flowers, and each means serving as a stem retainer, whereby all blossoms are retained in substantially at solid panel effect for display purposes.

CHARLES H. BALLARD. ARTHUR NEAL BANTER. SAMUEL E. HAYS. 

